Pearls are always a classic but that doesn't mean they have to be boring. This necklace will also give you some easy versatility so you can dress them up or down.

This piece is created by stringing a strand of pearls with knots. The instructions for pearl knotting are in the package of the knotting tool. For ours, we used #2 white Griffin silk cord and French Wire for the ends. If you are using bead tips, then a #4 size silk cord would work.

We have chosen a white potato pearl and have added a couple sterling silver clover shaped accent beads in the strand. If you decide to do this, you need to make sure that as you are stringing and knotting the pearls that you space out the accent beads properly so they are the same distance from the ends. In our example, the sterling beads are 8 pearls in from each end. This becomes important for the fact that you will need to judge accordingly so you do not end up with a total length that is too short or too long as you cannot go back and change the spacing without reknotting the entire piece. We finished the necklace using a large spring ring clasp. The clasp is the IMPORTANT element for this design.

It is the clasp that will give you the versatility. If you want to wear the piece as a simple strand, wear the clasp to the back. Wear the clasp front and center and now you have the ability to add and swap out individual pendants. We have shown the same necklace with 3 different pendants. This one is a large openwork cross which goes nicely with the sterling silver accent beads. Even though the charm is large, it does not feel or look heavy because of the open design. The second is a smaller charm in an angel style. This can obviously be changed out to any charm you desire. The third example shows a beautiful tapered rose quartz pendant. The soft pink works beautifully with the pearls and the proportion is perfect for the size of the beads. These are meant to inspire you. By all means, take these ideas and run with them. Many different options would work. The spring ring clasp has a 10.5mm center opening so a wide range of pendants can work. The second and third pendant options are shown individually in the gallery.

The finished piece as shown measures 19". This can be adjusted by using more or less pearls as you string yours. This idea can be used with any number of bead combinations. The matching earrings are listed in the gallery. Have fun!

List of components:
Sterling Silver Filigree Cross - (32.5 X 28.5mm) (SP428)
Silver Plated: Fine (0.6mm ID) "French" Wire (JFFW0.6S-01M)
"G-S Hypo Cement" (1/3 fl.oz.) (JA-GSHYPO)
Freshwater Pearl - White (FWP544)
Sterling Silver: 14mm Spring Ring Clasp with connector (SF964)
WHITE: Griffin Bead Cord 100% Silk #2 (0.45mm) (JH02S-WHITE-C)
EZ Knotting Tool by Beadsmith (TLB-02)
Sterling Silver 11.5mm Clover Bead (SB1020)